THE season of autumn is a photographer’s dream – gentle morning mists, clear blue skies, trees turning a soft golden yellow and mushrooms pushing through crisp fallen leaves in woodland.

And if you think you’ve caught the perfect autumn moment in a photo, you've a chance to win a holiday break, thanks to the National Trust.

The Daily Post has joined forces with the trust to find the best photo of autumn in the region.

The winner will be chosen by visitors to our website and featured in the Daily Post. They’ll win a great weekend away in a National Trust cottage.

They’ll also get a family pass to a National Trust property. In addition, we’ve got five runner- up prizes of family National Trust tickets. Just email us your digital photo – which should have been taken in the last few weeks in North Wales – for your chance to win.

The National Trust looks after large swathes of North and Mid Wales, from the region’s coastline to stately homes and woodland areas, all a great place to enjoy a day out with the family in the coming weeks before many shut up for winter.

You could be lucky enough to snap a deer, red squirrel, a grey seal or some exotic fungi; or just enjoy a myriad of glowing colours.

National Trust spokesperson Heledd Jones said: "We care for some of Britain's most beautiful places to take a walk. There are hundreds of fantastic coast, countryside and parkland properties to explore, whether you want a gentle stroll or a more energetic hike."

Getting out early or taking the camera with you on a stroll after work could help you get that extra-special snap, advises Daily Post picture editor Richard Williams said: "North Wales is lucky enough to have some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK. Daily Post photographers love taking photos of the region and I am sure readers share that enjoyment."

His top tips are:

Afternoon and early morning sunlight makes the best use of autumnal colours.

People – and their shadows – in a picture often help.

Make sure your digital camera is set at highest resolution, so you can crop it on your PC.

Fill the frame with the most interesting view.

A dramatic sky can make or break a picture.

How to enter

E-MAIL your photo (marked National Trust competition) to featureswales@ dailypost.co.uk by October 31. Don’t forget to tell us where you took it and when. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. We’ll feature all the entries, terms and conditions on www.dailypost.co.uk and you can vote for the one you think is the best. The winner will be announced in November.

Visit the website www.nationaltrust.co.uk to discover what’s on near you this weekend, or download a wildlife walk.

Competition Terms and Conditions

All pictures must feature either North or Mid Wales.

Maximum prize value is £350 and is redeemable against one holiday in a National Trust holiday cottage in Wales only not split down into separate breaks. No cash alternative or refund given.

The holiday must be taken from June to the end of December 2008 excluding Christmas, New Year, and Bank Holidays and is subject to availability.

The competition is not open to employees of the Daily Post and The National Trust, or their families. Winners must be over 18. Prize to be taken from National Trust Holiday Cottages brochure 2008. Closing date is 31 October and the winner will be announced in November. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.